We’re all aware of the scandal swirling around the VA that saw dozens – possibly hundreds – of veterans die while waiting to access medical care because of systemic fraud perpetuated by VA administrators to hide poor performance at Veterans Administration facilities.

On November 18th, Matt Dobson, Arizona State Director at Concerned Veterans for America, will speak to us about this travesty and what’s being done to reform the VA to ensure it truly works for our veterans. Because it is imperative that we demand accountability and performance from VA leadership to ensure that this despicable disgrace NEVER happens again.

About Matt Dobson: Mr. Dobson enlisted in the United States Army after high school and two summers of wildland firefighting with the BLM. Upon graduation from Basic Training and U.S. Army Combat Medic School, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and deployed to Afghanistan. He later was assigned as training cadre at Fort Sam Houston. While there, he instructed trauma medical training to initial entry and current service members, as well as multiple rotations through a level one trauma center.

Our November Meeting Will Also Feature A Book Signing!

Palo Verde RW member Honey Levin has recently written a book entitled The Friction Within: How the Political Divide in America Affects Personal Relationship. At our November, Honey will briefly speak about her book and do a book signing. The price of the book is $14.99 and if purchased at the November meeting, a portion of the sale of each book will be contributed to Palo Verde RW.

About Honey Levin’s book The Friction Within: How the Political Divide in America Affects Personal Relationship:

Honey asks, “Can we hang up the gloves?”

We are now a nation so divided by politics that longtime friendships have been damaged, family relationships have become fragile and the subject of politics in everyday environments is virtually taboo. Honey’s own negative experiences and concern for the country have impelled her to explore this dynamic in a thoughtful and impartial way. She examines this issue through the testimonies of twenty-eight brave Americans of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations. The reader is first presented with her own devastating encounter that leads to the revelations of those whose stories are courageously told in answer to her intimate questions. Some have chosen to use pseudonyms for fear of peer or government reprisals and a few are nationally known. But all have experienced some level of “pain” when discussing political issues with those on the opposite side. This is not a healthful quality of a free society. We can see the divide in Congress but to have this divide among ordinary citizens–many of whom were once caring friends and neighbors– does not encourage hope for America’s future. What can we learn from these interviews? How can we return to civil, respectful debate? When you “read” the emotional stories of these diverse and interesting respondents, you will gain insight that is not possible when discussions turn into confrontations.

Sorry. I guess I left it out. Reservation details: The cost of the luncheon is $27 if paying by credit card. Pay with cash or by check and the cost is $26. To make a reservation for our luncheon, contact Edith Stock by email: pvrwlunch@gmail.com, or call her at 480.298.7818 (cell). Please note that reservations are REQUIRED. And a reservation MADE is a reservation PAID!

We’ve got a terrific line up for our annual Christmas program. First up will be the Ignite Barbershop Quartet. Ignite began singing together after a quartet matching party in November 2015. They are all Champion members of Region 21’s Scottsdale Chorus and they will be singing for us!

After lunch, Congressional District 6 congressman, Representative David Schweikart, will talk to us about what’s happening in Washington DC, and provide us with a status of the Tax Bill working its way through the House of Representatives and Senate.

Finally, member Julia Graham will install our new 2018/2019 officers. We look forward to seeing you and be sure to bring a friend or two or three!